A Hoops Junkie Makes His First Visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium

I cut my basketball teeth at Madison Square Garden in the days of Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Bill Bradley. In my first go-round in college, I spent more hours sleeping on concrete for NC State hoop tickets in the Jim Valvano era than I did in the school library. I saw the first basketball game at the Dean Smith Center and the last basketball game in Boston Garden.

But I had never seen a basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Until Saturday's destruction of Michigan (sorry, Nick).

I love basketball and I enjoy covering games from girls' high school action all the way to NBA hoops. You may not believe me, but I get as much enjoyment from watching East Davidson High School's Anna Freeman as I do any male athlete. There's something incredible about watching an athlete who is competing on a different level than the rest of the players on the court, whether that's Anna or LeBron James.

While I look forward to the athletes, the arena always takes a back seat. I love the intimacy of a high school gym but I also appreciate the amenities of a Division I or NBA court. But it's never what gets me pumped about a contest.

Given all of that, I hope you'll forgive me for being excited about seeing a game at Cameron.

Prior to the game, I was expecting the best of all worlds. And I found out that it truly is a great place to see a basketball game.

I saw Michael Jordan play collegiate ball in Carmichael Auditorium, a venue somewhat similar to Cameron. But Carmichael felt old and cramped, feelings I did not get at Cameron.

Yes, the students are right on top of things at Cameron and I certainly felt cramped in that respect, but the arena was much bigger than I anticipated. And all of that Duke money has helped keep it in excellent shape and modern condition. I had easy internet connection everywhere and cell phone coverage throughout the building, two things not available at the RBC Center, NC State's new arena.

I did not know where they were going to stick me before the game. I was hoping for press row but was fully expecting to be in the upper balcony. I was quite pleased for it to be the former. I was equal to the foul line extended, on the opposite side of the Duke bench.

Now, as an NC State fan, I hate Duke. I don't have the same level of contempt for them that my wife, a UNC grad, does, but still I enjoy seeing them lose. I came to the arena hoping for a great atmosphere, with Michigan pulling out a win.

Well, it's not a great season so far for the Wolverines. They are breaking in a new coach and they have a very young team. I think they handled the atmosphere of Cameron pretty good. They "only" had 15 turnovers and few of those led to easy transition points. But they could not match the talent or depth of the Blue Devils.

Duke ended up winning, 95-67.

The game was a disappointment but the experience was not. I got to see the fans do the "Duke hop" and heckle the opposition. I got to see the mascot surf the length of the floor. And I got to see coach Krzyzewski in all of his raging glory.

I'm glad that I finally got to see a game at Cameron. Now I just have to make my way out to LA, to see a game at Pauley Pavilion.

And Dodger Stadium.